U.S. patent number 10,821,928 [Application Number 16/156,405] was granted by the patent office on 2020-11-03 for vehicle airbag operation.
This patent grant is currently assigned to FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC. The grantee listed for this patent is Ford Global Technologies, LLC. Invention is credited to Krishnakanth E. Aekbote, Zhibing Deng, Srinivas Reddy Malapati, Deepak Patel.
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United States Patent |
10,821,928 |
Deng , et al. |
November 3, 2020 |
Vehicle airbag operation
Abstract
A system includes an airbag including a first lobe, a second
lobe, a first tether connected to the first lobe, and a second
tether connected to the second lobe, a seat rotatable relative to
the airbag from a first position to a second position, and a
computer programmed to, based on whether the seat is in the first
position or the second position, release one of the first tether or
the second tether.
Inventors: |
Deng; Zhibing (Northville,
MI), Patel; Deepak (Canton, MI), Aekbote; Krishnakanth
E. (Novi, MI), Malapati; Srinivas Reddy (Novi, MI) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Ford Global Technologies, LLC |
Dearborn |
MI |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
(Dearborn, MI)
|
Family
ID: |
1000005155385 |
Appl.
No.: |
16/156,405 |
Filed: |
October 10, 2018 |
Prior Publication Data
|
|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20200114855 A1 |
Apr 16, 2020 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R
21/2338 (20130101); B60R 21/013 (20130101); B60R
21/01554 (20141001); B60R 21/20 (20130101); B60N
3/001 (20130101); B60R 2021/01238 (20130101); B60N
2/14 (20130101); B60R 2021/0032 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B60R
21/00 (20060101); B60R 21/013 (20060101); B60R
21/2338 (20110101); B60R 21/015 (20060101); B60R
21/216 (20110101); B60R 21/20 (20110101); B60R
21/16 (20060101); B60R 21/01 (20060101); B60N
2/14 (20060101); B60N 3/00 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Tissot; Adam D
Attorney, Agent or Firm: MacKenzie; Frank A. Bejin Bieneman
PLC
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A system, comprising: an airbag including a first lobe
inflatable in a vehicle-rearward direction to an inflated position,
a second lobe inflatable in a vehicle-forward direction to an
inflated position, a first tether connected to the first lobe and
extending in the vehicle-rearward direction from the first lobe in
the inflated position, and a second tether connected to the second
lobe and extending in the vehicle-forward direction from the second
lobe in the inflated position; a seat rotatable relative to the
airbag from a first position in which the seat faces in the
vehicle-forward direction to a second position in which the seat
faces in the vehicle rearward direction; and a computer programmed
to release the first tether when the seat is in the first position
and to release the second tether when the seat is in the second
position; wherein the airbag is disposed below the seat in an
uninflated position, the first lobe is inflatable upwardly along
the seat to the inflated position, and the second lobe is
inflatable upwardly along the seat to the inflated position.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the computer is further
programmed to detect an impact and, then, release one of the first
tether or the second tether.
3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a table, wherein the
airbag is fixed to the table and the seat is supported on top of
the table, wherein the seat is rotatable relative to the table,
wherein the first lobe is inflatable upwardly from the table along
the seat, the second lobe is inflatable upwardly from the table
along the seat, the first tether extends upwardly from the table to
the first lobe, and the second tether extends upwardly from the
table to the second lobe.
4. The system of claim 3, wherein the seat is rotatable about an
axis normal to the table.
5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a tether release,
wherein the computer is further programmed to actuate the tether
release to release the first tether or the second tether.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the seat has a side and the
computer is further programmed to inflate the airbag along the
side.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the seat faces the
vehicle-forward direction in the first position and the seat faces
the vehicle-rearward direction in the second position.
8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a vehicle door,
wherein the airbag is between the vehicle door and the seat.
9. The system of claim 1, wherein the seat is rotatable to an
intermediate position between the first position and the second
position.
10. A system, comprising a computer including a processor and a
memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor
to: identify a facing direction of a vehicle seat, the facing
direction including a vehicle-forward direction and a
vehicle-rearward direction; and based on the facing direction,
release one of a first tether connected to a first lobe of an
airbag or a second tether connected to a second lobe of the airbag;
wherein the airbag is disposed below the seat in an uninflated
position, the first lobe is inflatable in the vehicle-rearward
direction upwardly along the vehicle seat, the second lobe is
inflatable in the vehicle-forward direction upwardly along the
vehicle seat, the first tether extends in the vehicle-rearward
direction and the second tether extends in the vehicle-forward
direction.
11. The system of claim 10, wherein the instructions further
include instructions to detect an impact and, then, release one of
the first tether or the second tether.
12. The system of claim 10, wherein the instructions further
include instructions to actuate a tether release to release the
first tether or the second tether.
13. The system of claim 10, wherein the instructions further
include instructions to inflate one of the first lobe of the airbag
or the second lobe of the airbag based on the facing direction.
14. The system of claim 10, wherein the facing direction of the
seat includes a vehicle-forward direction and a vehicle-rearward
direction, and the first lobe is arranged to inflate in the
vehicle-rearward direction when the facing direction is the
vehicle-forward direction and the second lobe is arranged to
inflate in the vehicle-forward direction when the facing direction
is the vehicle-rearward direction.
15. The system of claim 10, wherein the seat defines an occupant
seating area facing toward the facing direction.
16. An assembly, comprising: a track; a table slidable relative to
the track; an airbag fixed to the table including a first lobe
inflatable in a vehicle-rearward direction, a second lobe
inflatable in a vehicle-forward direction, a first tether connected
to the first lobe and extending in the vehicle-rearward direction,
and a second tether connected to the second lobe and extending in
the vehicle-forward direction; and a seat supported on top of the
table, the seat being rotatable relative to the table and the
airbag from a first position to a second position; wherein, in the
first position, the seat faces in the vehicle-forward direction
and, in the second position, the seat faces in the vehicle-rearward
direction, the first lobe is inflatable upwardly from the table
along the seat when the seat faces the vehicle-forward direction,
and the second lobe is inflatable upwardly from the table along the
seat when the seat faces the vehicle-rearward direction.
17. The assembly of claim 16, wherein the seat is rotatable about
an axis normal to the table.
18. The system of claim 14, wherein the instructions further
include instructions to release the first tether when the facing
direction is the vehicle-forward direction and to release the
second tether when the facing direction is the vehicle-rearward
direction.
Description
BACKGROUND
Vehicles include seats to support occupants. The seats each include
a seat back and a seat bottom. The seat bottom supports an occupant
vertically. The seat back may be adjustable by an occupant by
rotating the seat back relative to the seat bottom. The seat may be
adjustable by the occupant by moving the seat in a vehicle fore-aft
direction, e.g., to accommodate the occupant's legs. For example,
the occupant may move the seat along a track to a specified
position.
An interior of a vehicle, such as automobile, may include various
devices for controlling kinematics of a test dummy of the vehicle
during an impact test. For example, the vehicle may include an
airbag supported by a steering wheel or a vehicle seat. The airbag
may be configured to control kinematics of the test dummy during a
vehicle impact.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a seat in a first position in a
vehicle.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the seat in a second position.
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the seat in the first position.
FIG. 4 is a plan view of the seat in the second position.
FIG. 5 is a side view of the seat in the first position.
FIG. 6 is a side view of the seat and an airbag.
FIG. 7 is a side view of the seat and a first tether of the airbag
released.
FIG. 8 is a side view of the seat in the second position.
FIG. 9 is a side view of the seat and the airbag.
FIG. 10 is a side view of the seat and a second tether of the
airbag released.
FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a computer in the vehicle.
FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a process for inflating the
airbag.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
A system includes an airbag including a first lobe, a second lobe,
a first tether connected to the first lobe, and a second tether
connected to the second lobe, a seat rotatable relative to the
airbag from a first position to a second position, and a computer
programmed to, based on whether the seat is in the first position
or the second position, release one of the first tether or the
second tether.
The computer may be further programmed to detect an impact and,
then, release one of the first tether or the second tether.
The system may further include a table, the airbag may be fixed to
the table, and the seat may be rotatable relative to the table. The
seat may be rotatable about an axis normal to the table.
The system may further include a tether release, wherein the
computer may be further programmed to actuate the tether release to
release the first tether or the second tether.
The seat may have a side and the computer may be further programmed
to inflate the airbag along the side.
The seat may face a first facing direction in the first position.
The seat may face a second facing direction in the second position.
The first lobe may be designed to inflate toward the first facing
direction. The second lobe may be designed to inflate toward the
second facing direction.
The computer may be further programmed to inflate the first lobe
toward the first facing direction when the seat is in the first
position and to inflate the second lobe toward the second facing
direction when the seat is in the second position.
The system may further include a vehicle door. The airbag may be
between the vehicle door and the seat.
The seat may be rotatable to an intermediate position between the
first position and the second position.
A system includes a computer including a processor and a memory,
the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to
identify a facing direction of a vehicle seat, and, based on the
facing direction, release one of a first tether connected to a
first lobe of an airbag or a second tether connected to a second
lobe of the airbag.
The instructions may further include instructions to detect an
impact and, then, release one of the first tether or the second
tether.
The instructions may further include instructions to actuate a
tether release to release the first tether or the second
tether.
The instructions may further include instructions to inflate one of
the first lobe of the airbag or the second lobe of the airbag based
on the facing direction.
The facing direction of the seat may include a first direction and
a second direction. The first lobe may be arranged to inflate
toward the first direction. The second lobe may be arranged to
inflate toward the second direction.
The seat may define an occupant seating area facing toward the
facing direction.
An assembly includes a track, a table slidable relative to the
track, an airbag fixed to the table, and a seat rotatable relative
to the table and the airbag.
The seat may be rotatable from a first position to a second
position.
The airbag may include a first lobe, a second lobe, a first tether
connected to the first lobe, and a second tether connected to the
second lobe.
The seat may be rotatable about an axis normal to the table.
With reference to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate like
parts throughout the several views, a system 10 in a vehicle 12
includes an airbag 14 including a first lobe 16, a second lobe 18,
a first tether 20 connected to the first lobe 16, and a second
tether 22 connected to the second lobe 18, a seat 24 rotatable
relative to the airbag 14 from a first position to a second
position, and a computer 26 programmed to, based on whether the
seat 24 is in the first position or the second position, release
one of the first tether 20 or the second tether 22.
The selective release of one of the first tether 20 or the second
tether 22 allows the airbag 14 to inflate to control kinematics of
a test dummy during a side impact test for each position to which
the seat 24 is rotated. That is, because the seat 24 is rotatable
relative to the airbag 14, the airbag 14 may control kinematics of
the test dummy whether the seat 24 is rotated to the first position
or the second position. The first lobe 16 and the second lobe 18
may control kinematics of an upper portion of the test dummy, e.g.,
a thoracic portion, a torso, etc. The computer 26 selectively
releasing one of the first tether 20 or the second tether 22 allows
one of the first lobe 16 or the second lobe 18 to inflate and
control kinematics of the test dummy based on the rotated position
of the seat 24. The first lobe 16 and the second lobe 18 may
control kinematics of the test dummy when a seat back (shown but
not numbered) of the seat 24 is at different angles relative to a
neutral position, e.g., 20 degrees, 24 degrees, etc., for impact
test protocols.
The vehicle 12 includes the seat 24, as shown in FIGS. 1-10. The
seat 24 is rotatable from a first position, as shown in FIGS. 1, 3,
and 5-7, to a second position, as shown in FIGS. 2, 4, and 8-10.
The seat 24 may be supported by a rotation device 25 to rotate the
seat 24 between the first position and the second position. The
rotation device 25 may be, e.g., a rotatable ring, a post, etc. The
seat 24 may be rotatable to an intermediate position between the
first position and the second position. The seat 24 is locked in
place in the first position or the second position. In other words,
the rotation device 25 is locked to lock the seat 24 in the first
position or the second position. The occupant may selectively
actuate the rotation device 25 to lock the seat 24, e.g., with a
mechanical lever, an electronic solenoid lock, etc. The seat 24
and/or the rotation device 25 may include a seat position sensor
32, as shown in FIG. 11. The seat position sensor 32 may be
programmed to detect the position of the seat 24. The seat 24 has a
pair of opposing sides 28, 30, i.e., a first side 28 of the seat 24
and a second side 30 of the seat 24.
The seat 24 faces in a facing direction. The facing direction of
the seat 24 may include a first direction F.sub.1 and a second
direction F.sub.2, as shown in FIGS. 5-10. When the seat 24 is in
the first position, the seat 24 faces the first direction F.sub.1.
When the seat 24 is in the second position, the seat 24 faces the
second direction F.sub.2. The first direction F.sub.1 may be a
vehicle-forward direction. The second direction F.sub.2 may be a
vehicle-rearward direction. The seat 24 may define an occupant
seating area 34 that faces toward the facing direction F.sub.1,
F.sub.2. The occupant seating area 34 may support an occupant
and/or the test dummy.
The vehicle 12 includes a door 36. As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the
airbag 14 may be between the door 36 and the seat 24. The door 36
includes a door outer, a door inner, and a trim panel. The door
outer may be fixed to the door inner by flanging, welding, or in
any other suitable fashion. The trim panel is fixed to the door
inner in any suitable way, e.g., threaded fasteners, clips,
push-pins, Christmas tree fasteners, etc. The door outer and the
door inner may be formed of metal (e.g., aluminum, steel, etc.),
composite material (e.g., fiber reinforced thermoplastic, sheet
molding compound (SMC), etc., or any suitable material. The door
outer may have a class-A surface facing exteriorly, i.e., a surface
specifically manufactured to have a high quality, finished
aesthetic appearance free of blemishes. The trim panel may be
formed of plastic, foam, leather, vinyl, etc. and combinations
thereof. The trim panel may have a class-A surface facing a
passenger cabin, i.e., a surface specifically manufactured to have
a high quality, finished aesthetic appearance free of blemishes.
The door 36 faces one of the sides 28, 30 of the seat 24. For
example, when the seat 24 is in the first position, the door 36
faces the first side 28 of the seat 24, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3.
In another example, when the seat 24 is in the second position, the
door 36 faces the second side 30 of the seat 24, as shown in FIGS.
2 and 4.
The system 10 may include a track 38, as shown in FIGS. 1-2, 5-10.
The seat 24 is selectively slidable relative to the track 38. That
is, the occupant may slide the seat 24 along the track 38 and may
secure the seat to the track 38 at a selected position. For
example, the occupant may actuate a motor (not shown) that moves
the seat 24 along the track 38. The seat 24 may move vertically
relative to the track 38 (not shown in the Figures).
The system 10 includes an airbag module 40, as shown in FIGS. 5-10.
The airbag module 40 includes the airbag 14, an inflator 42, and a
housing 44. The inflator 42 and the airbag 14 may be disposed in
the housing 44 in the uninflated position. The housing 44 provides
a reaction surface for the airbag 14 in the inflated position. The
housing 44 may be formed of any material, e.g., a rigid polymer, a
metal, a composite, etc.
The airbag module 40 includes the airbag 14, as shown in FIGS.
1-10. The airbag 14 may be formed of a woven polymer or any other
material. As one example, the airbag may be formed of woven nylon
yarn, for example, nylon 6-6. Other examples include polyether
ether ketone (PEEK), polyetherketoneketone (PEKK), polyester, etc.
The woven polymer may include a coating, such as silicone,
neoprene, urethane, etc. For example, the coating may be polyorgano
siloxane. The airbag 14 may be disposed between the vehicle door 36
and one of the sides 28, 30 of the seat 24. The airbag 14 may
inflate along one of the sides 28, 30 of the seat, as shown in
FIGS. 1-2, 6-7, and 9-10.
The airbag 14 includes the first lobe 16 and the second lobe 18, as
shown in FIGS. 1-4, 6-7, and 9-10. The first lobe 16 is designed to
inflate toward the first facing direction F.sub.1. The second lobe
18 is designed to inflate toward the second facing direction
F.sub.2. When the seat 24 faces the first facing direction F.sub.1
in the first position, the first lobe 16 inflates toward the first
facing direction F.sub.1. When the seat 24 faces the second facing
direction F.sub.2 in the second position, the second lobe 18
inflates toward the second facing direction F.sub.2. The first lobe
16 and the second lobes 18 may control kinematics of an upper
portion of the test dummy, e.g., a thoracic region. During the
impact, one of the first lobe 16 or the second lobe 18
inflates.
The airbag 14 may include a lower lobe 46, as shown in FIGS. 6-7
and 9-10. The lower lobe 46 may support the first lobe 16 and the
second lobe 18. The lower lobe 46 may control kinematics of a lower
portion of the test dummy, e.g., a pelvic region of the test dummy.
The inflator 42 inflates the lower lobe 46 during the impact.
The airbag 14 includes the first tether 20 and the second tether
22, as shown in FIGS. 6-7 and 9-10. The first tether 20 is
connected to the first lobe 16. The first tether 20 may be
connected to another suitable connection point, e.g., to another
portion of the airbag 14. The second tether 22 is connected to the
second lobe 18. The second tether 22 may be connected to another
suitable connection point, e.g., to another portion of the airbag
14. Upon inflation of the lower lobe 46, the first tether 20
secures the first lobe 16 and the second tether 22 secures the
second lobe 18, preventing further inflation of the first lobe 16
and the second lobe 18.
The airbag 14 may include a tether release 48, as shown in FIGS.
5-10. The tether release 48 may be, e.g., pyrotechnically actuated.
The tether release 48 may be a cutter that cuts one of the tethers
20, 22. Alternatively, the tether release 48 may be a post that
releases an end of one of the tethers 20, 22. The tether release 48
cuts one of the first tether 20 or the second tether 22. Upon
cutting the first tether 20, the first lobe 16 inflates. Upon
cutting the second tether 22, the second lobe 18 inflates.
The system 10 may include a table 50, as shown in FIGS. 1-2, 5-10.
The airbag 14 may be fixed to the table 50, i.e., directly attached
to the table 50. That is, the airbag module 40 may be fixed to the
table 50. The seat 24 may be rotatable relative to the table 50.
For example, the seat 24 may be rotatable about an axis A normal to
the table, i.e., perpendicular to a plane defined by the table 50,
as shown in FIGS. 5-10. When the airbag module 40 is fixed to the
table 50, the seat 24 may be rotatable relative to the airbag 14.
The table 50 may be slidable relative to the track 38, allowing the
seat 24 to slide along the track 38. The rotation device 25 may be
supported by the table 50. That is, the rotation device 25 may
rotate the seat 24 relative to the table 50.
The system 10 includes the computer 26, as shown in FIG. 11. The
computer 26 includes a processor 52 and a memory 54. The memory 54
stores instructions executable by the processor 52. The computer 26
may be programmed to actuate the inflator 42 to inflate the airbag
14 and to actuate the tether release 48 to release one of the first
tether 20 or the second tether 22 during the impact.
The computer 26 may be programmed to detect the impact and, then,
release one of the first tether 20 or the second tether 22. The
computer 26 may be programmed to inflate the first lobe 16 toward
the first facing direction F.sub.1 when the seat is in the first
position. That is, as described above, the computer 26 may be
programmed to release the first tether 20 and to actuate the
inflator 42, inflating the lower lobe 46 and the first lobe 16. The
computer 26 may receive the position of the seat 24 from the seat
position sensor 32. The computer 26 may be programmed to inflate
the second lobe 18 toward the second facing direction F.sub.2 when
the seat 24 is in the second position. That is, the computer 26 may
be programmed to release the second tether 22 and to actuate the
inflator 42, inflating the lower lobe 46 and the second lobe
18.
The vehicle 12 includes an impact sensor 56. The impact sensor 56
may detect different impacts, e.g., a front impact, an oblique
impact, a side impact, etc. The impact sensor 56 may be of any
suitable type, e.g., post-contact sensors such as accelerometers,
pressure sensors, and contact switches; and pre-impact sensors such
as radar, LIDAR, and vision-sensing systems. The vision systems may
include one or more cameras, CCD image sensors, CMOS image sensors,
etc. The vehicle 12 may include a plurality of impact sensors 56
located at numerous points in or on the vehicle 12. The computer 26
may, upon receiving information from the impact sensor 56
indicating the impact, actuate the inflator 42 and the tether
release 48.
The computer 26 may be programmed to actuate the tether release 48
to release the first tether 20 or the second tether 22. Based on
the facing direction and/or the position of the seat 24, the
computer 26 may selectively actuate the tether release 48. For
example, when the seat 24 is in the first position, the computer 26
may actuate the tether release 48 to release the first tether 20.
In another example, when the seat 24 is in the second position, the
computer 26 may actuate the tether release 48 to release the second
tether 22.
The computer 26 may be programmed to inflate the airbag 14 along
the side 28, 30 of the seat 24. As described above, the computer 26
may, upon detecting the impact, actuate the inflator 42. The
inflator 42 inflates the airbag 14 along the side 28, 30 of the
seat. When the seat 24 is in the first position, the computer 26
may actuate the tether release 48 to release the first tether 20,
inflating the first lobe 16 along the first side 28 of the seat 24,
as shown in FIG. 7. When the seat 24 is in the second position, the
computer 26 may actuate the tether release 48 to release the second
tether 22, inflating the second lobe 18 along the second side 30 of
the seat 24, as shown in FIG. 10.
The computer 26 is programmed to identify a facing direction
F.sub.1, F.sub.2 of the seat 24. Based on the facing direction
F.sub.1, F.sub.2, the compute 26 is programmed to release one of
the first tether 20 connected to the first lobe 16 of the airbag 14
or the second tether 22 connected to the second lobe 18 of the
airbag 14. The computer 26 may be programmed to inflate one of the
first lobe 16 of the airbag 14 or the second lobe 18 of the airbag
14 based on the facing direction F.sub.1, F.sub.2.
To facilitate communications, the computer 26, the impact sensor
56, the inflator 42, the tether release 48, the seat position
sensor 32, and other components in the vehicle 12 may be connected
to a communication bus 58, such as a controller area network (CAN)
bus, of the vehicle 12. The computer 26 may use information from
the communication bus 58 to control the triggering of the inflator
42 and the tether release 48. The tether release 48 may be
connected to the computer 26 or may be connected to the
communication bus 58.
FIG. 12 illustrates a process 1200 for inflating the airbag 14
during the impact. The process 1200 begins in a block 1205, in
which the computer 26 determines the position of the seat 24. As
described above, the seat 24 may be in the first position, the
second position, or an intermediate position between the first
position and the second position. The computer 26 may determine the
position of the seat 24 based on input from the seat position
sensor 32. The computer 26 may identify the facing direction
F.sub.1, F.sub.2 of the seat 24 based on the position of the seat
24.
Next, in a block 1210, the computer 26 detects the impact. As
described above, the impact sensor 56 is programmed to detect the
impact and transmit information indicating the impact over the
communications bus 58 to the computer 26.
Next, in a block 1215, the computer 26 inflates the airbag 14. The
computer 26 actuates the inflator 42 to inflate the airbag 14. For
example, the computer 26 may actuate the inflator 42 to inflate the
lower lobe 46 of the airbag 14.
Next, in a block 1220, the computer 26 identifies one of the first
tether 20 or the second tether 22 to release. The computer 26
identifies the first tether 20 to release when the seat 24 is in
the first position. The computer 26 identifies the second tether 22
to release with the seat 24 is in the second position. The computer
26 may be programmed to identify one of the first tether 20 or the
second tether 22 when the seat 24 is in the intermediate position
between the first position and the second position. The computer 26
may identify the tether 20, 22 to release based on the facing
direction F.sub.1, F.sub.2.
Next, in a block 1225, the computer 26 actuates the tether release
48 to release the first tether 20 or the second tether 22. Upon
identifying the tether 20, 22 to release, the computer 26 instructs
the tether release 48 to release the identified tether 20, 22. Upon
releasing the identified tether 20, 22, the corresponding lobe 16,
18 to which the tether 20, 22 is connected inflates. Following the
block 1225, the process 1200 ends.
With regard to the media, processes, systems, methods, etc.
described herein, it should be understood that, although the steps
of such processes, etc. have been described as occurring according
to a certain ordered sequence, such processes could be practiced
with the described steps performed in an order other than the order
described herein. It further should be understood that certain
steps could be performed simultaneously, that other steps could be
added, or that certain steps described herein could be omitted. For
example, in the process 1200, one or more of the steps could be
omitted, or the steps could be executed in a different order than
shown in FIG. 12. In other words, the descriptions of systems
and/or processes herein are provided for the purpose of
illustrating certain embodiments, and should in no way be construed
so as to limit the disclosed subject matter.
The disclosure has been described in an illustrative manner, and it
is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is
intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of
limitation. The adjectives "first" and "second" are used throughout
this document as identifiers and are not intended to signify
importance or order.
Many modifications and variations of the present disclosure are
possible in light of the above teachings, and the disclosure may be
practiced otherwise than as specifically described.
* * * * *